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251: How Great Leaders Face Fear Head-On: 3 Steps to Build Courage Through Effort | Quinn Magnuson
Episode 251
Great teams and workplaces aren’t defined by perfection, but by the drive to learn, the courage to show up, and the wisdom to value effort over results. On this high-energy episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon dives deep with Quinn Magnuson, former Division 1 athlete, pro football player, educator, and founder of Effort Over Results. From humble beginnings in Saskatchewan to the classroom and the corporate world, Quinn Magnuson shows why the best leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers, but the ones who are willing to put in the work, embrace doubt, and create environments where others can thrive. Together, Damon and Quinn Magnuson break down the myths of imposter syndrome, the reality of fear, the urgent need for empathy in management, and why “action beats anxiety” every time.
Packed with raw stories, practical frameworks, and actionable questions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to lead with more confidence, humility, and impact—whether on the field, in the classroom, or at work.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why doubt and imposter syndrome aren’t signs of failure, but essential ingredients for authentic leadership.
- The step-by-step approach to leading a new team—even if you feel unprepared or overwhelmed.
- How to reframe fear from threat to opportunity, and the tools to move through anxiety with action.
- What Quinn Magnuson learned (and wishes he knew sooner) as a teacher—and how it changed his entire philosophy on leadership.
- How to turn feedback and failures into fuel for growth—in sports, school, and business.
- The real secret to building high-performing teams: psychological safety, clear roles, and radical empathy.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Leadership myths: Showing up > having all the answers
01:33 – Supporting new managers through doubt and imposter syndrome
04:39 – Walking onto the field: True stories of feeling out of place
07:25 – How childhood shapes drive and ambition
08:39 – The truth about fear—and how action beats anxiety
12:11 – Teaching regret: Lessons from the classroom about empathy
16:50 – Why effort is the real win (not the trophy or the grade)
19:00 – The power of great coaches and mentors
23:43 – Leadership in middle management: caught in the crossfire
26:09 – Brick wall leaders: Earning the trust that makes people go “all in”
28:41 – Can you teach drive—or is it innate?
31:39 – Breaking the anxiety-action cycle: Real tools for growth
34:18 – Top traits of successful organizations (from sports to corporate)
38:58 – Should you double down on strengths, or shore up weaknesses?
40:20 – Giving and receiving feedback the right way
44:35 – The magic of asking better questions as a leader
47:38 – Introducing the Effort Over Results book (and what’s inside)
51:32 – The mission: Leave everyone better than you found them
54:01 – Where to find Quinn Magnuson and the EOR movement
About Quinn Magnussen
Quinn Magnuson is the founder and host of Effort Over Results, a leadership coach, international keynote speaker, and former professional football player. Raised by a single mother in Saskatchewan, Quinn became a two-sport Division 1 athlete and learned early that “effort is the only thing you can control.” After playing football in the CFL and teaching high school, he dedicated himself to coaching leaders—helping them overcome perfectionism, embrace vulnerability, and build cultures where people (and results) flourish. His philosophy and upcoming book empower leaders in the boardroom, classroom, and beyond to focus on growth, compassion, and lasting impact.
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